A SHOPPER who spent £170 at a Tesco store received a warning letter a few days later for staying on the car park too long'.

Supply teacher Virginia Kay, 30, said she parked at the Tesco Extra store, Foxhole Road, Chorley, and shopped for a range of items, including Christmas presents and food.

The Burnley-born married mother-of-one, who was off work at the time suffering from stress as a result of a miscarriage, returned to her car and drove home to Clayton-le-Woods.

But just days later she received a letter saying she had overstayed her welcome by parking in the car park for longer than the permitted three hours.

Not only was she angry after spending so much cash in the store, but also because her vehicle details had been passed to Tesco from the DVLA.

A spokesman for Tescos said they were "sorry" that Mrs Kay did not think "three hours" was enough and that the parking time limit had been arrived at as a result of research.

But Mrs Kay said: "The car park was half empty. I didn't park on a disabled bay.

"I went in and used the cafe, looked at books and magazines and did some Christmas present and Christmas food shopping.

"I bought some cards and tried on some clothes. I bought a book and read the blurb at the back and queued for a lottery ticket.

"I had to use my phone in the car park before I left to discuss who was going to pick up my five-year-old daughter from the childminder. That took me over the three hours."

Mrs Kay said she was "amazed" when she received a letter stating her vehicle registration number saying she had exceeded the three-hour limit an if she did it again she would get a fine.

She said: "I understand they have got to control their car park, but I think this alienates customers.

"I just feel really angry, I couldn't believe it.

"I thought it was really shocking how they got my address from the DVLA. I only saw the parking notice on the way out."

A spokesman for Tesco said: "There are signs in the car park advising of the time limit which is the same for most stores.

"We're sorry that she finds three hours insufficient. We came to this conclusion based on research. It's standard for a reminder letter to be sent out as we're not keen on fines. Our relationship with the DVLA is the same as other retailers."